Areas of Barcelona
Aug 6th, 2014, 04:15 PM
#2
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From the map it a bit too far east, maybe 3/4 mile from the usual tourist attractions on the other side of Ciutadella Park.
I've only walked at the edge of it on my way to a restaurant on the beach but it seemed pretty industrialized and not especially appealing. We've stayed within a few blocks of Plaça de Catalunya on our two trips to BCN, which was pretty much centrally located except for the beach.
Why are you interested in this area? If the hotels are really inexpensive and close to the metro then maybe it's a good deal.
I've only walked at the edge of it on my way to a restaurant on the beach but it seemed pretty industrialized and not especially appealing. We've stayed within a few blocks of Plaça de Catalunya on our two trips to BCN, which was pretty much centrally located except for the beach.
Why are you interested in this area? If the hotels are really inexpensive and close to the metro then maybe it's a good deal.
Aug 6th, 2014, 05:52 PM
#3
I am very sorry to say that when I see the terms "dynamic" and "new" in a description of a neighborhood I am somehow thinking this is being hyped for whatever reason.
If it really is "new" I suspect few will have stayed in it.
If it really is "new" I suspect few will have stayed in it.
Aug 6th, 2014, 08:19 PM
#5
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<b>"I can get a good deal using points at the holiday inn express or 4 points Shereton."</b>
From Google maps it appears the HI Express is 2-3 blocks from 2 different metro stops, so you would have fairly close metro access. Looks like it's about 4-6 stops from station Llacuna to the heart of the tourist areas between stations Jaume I to Passeig de Gracia. From those you can access Old Town or the Ramblas or Passeig de Gracia easily or transfer to another metro line to pretty much anywhere in the city.
Also it's not TOO far from the Port Olimpic, which is a lively area day and night. You could easily walk to the beach and port area, especially in the daytime.
The Sheraton is on a major road with heavy traffic, Av. Diagonal, and will likely be pretty busy and corporate. A bit further from a metro stop and further from the beach and port.
Of those 2 hotels I'd probably pick the HI Express for location. If you're comfortable taking the metro it would probably work out fine. Supposedly there are a lot of pickpockets on the metro so take precautions.
From Google maps it appears the HI Express is 2-3 blocks from 2 different metro stops, so you would have fairly close metro access. Looks like it's about 4-6 stops from station Llacuna to the heart of the tourist areas between stations Jaume I to Passeig de Gracia. From those you can access Old Town or the Ramblas or Passeig de Gracia easily or transfer to another metro line to pretty much anywhere in the city.
Also it's not TOO far from the Port Olimpic, which is a lively area day and night. You could easily walk to the beach and port area, especially in the daytime.
The Sheraton is on a major road with heavy traffic, Av. Diagonal, and will likely be pretty busy and corporate. A bit further from a metro stop and further from the beach and port.
Of those 2 hotels I'd probably pick the HI Express for location. If you're comfortable taking the metro it would probably work out fine. Supposedly there are a lot of pickpockets on the metro so take precautions.
Aug 7th, 2014, 03:22 AM
#7
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The area is not bad and not dead, but probably not my first suggestion for a first time visitor.
The Sheraton on Diagonal is more or less across the street from the Glories shopping center, and will be nearby the new (then probably quickly famous) design museum which is supposed to open in December. At the other end of Diagonal (at the sea) you have the Museu Blau - the Natural History Museum, mostly a huge hit with locals still as it probably has not yet found its place on the tourist trail. Also at that end of Diagonal is another mall.
Diagonal itself is not that busy on that part between Glories and the sea. Most traffic in and out BCN from the Ronda Litoral freeway goes on Gran Via.
Tram takes from the hotel to Port Olimpic in 10 minutes or, but for travels to/from the city center/ Pl. Catalunya it will be faster to walk to Glories (or go 2 stops by tram) and take the metro.
Haven't been near the HI Express yet.
The Sheraton on Diagonal is more or less across the street from the Glories shopping center, and will be nearby the new (then probably quickly famous) design museum which is supposed to open in December. At the other end of Diagonal (at the sea) you have the Museu Blau - the Natural History Museum, mostly a huge hit with locals still as it probably has not yet found its place on the tourist trail. Also at that end of Diagonal is another mall.
Diagonal itself is not that busy on that part between Glories and the sea. Most traffic in and out BCN from the Ronda Litoral freeway goes on Gran Via.
Tram takes from the hotel to Port Olimpic in 10 minutes or, but for travels to/from the city center/ Pl. Catalunya it will be faster to walk to Glories (or go 2 stops by tram) and take the metro.
Haven't been near the HI Express yet.
Aug 7th, 2014, 12:50 PM
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<b>"Another choice would be the Le Meridian. Seems to be right in the heart of town."</b>
For me this is TOO much of a good thing location-wise since it's right on the Ramblas, one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Europe and basically a non-stop party. Sort of like your hotel being located in the middle of the state fair ... check out some of the youtube videos before you reserve, like this one ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt--4kgij2M
Of course if you want to be literally in the middle of things then that's where you'll be, but I'd prefer being 3-4 blocks off the Ramblas myself.
For me this is TOO much of a good thing location-wise since it's right on the Ramblas, one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Europe and basically a non-stop party. Sort of like your hotel being located in the middle of the state fair ... check out some of the youtube videos before you reserve, like this one ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt--4kgij2M
Of course if you want to be literally in the middle of things then that's where you'll be, but I'd prefer being 3-4 blocks off the Ramblas myself.
Aug 7th, 2014, 12:54 PM
#10
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<<From the map it a bit too far east, maybe 3/4 mile from the usual tourist attractions on the other side of Ciutadella Park>>
Uh, 3/4 miles east from the tourist attractions is the Mediterranean. Barcelona maps are "tilted" - if the sea is on the bottom, north is to the right, west is toward the top.
Uh, 3/4 miles east from the tourist attractions is the Mediterranean. Barcelona maps are "tilted" - if the sea is on the bottom, north is to the right, west is toward the top.
Aug 7th, 2014, 01:14 PM
#11
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I am not a big fan of the Ramblas, but "non stop party" is probably giving OP a bit of a wrong idea.
It is a busy semi-pedestrian street (only the median is pedestrian), and the biggest evil on this street are probably the pickpockets.
And living in Europe, I would not say that the Ramblas were even especialy busy. Busy yes, but not that spectacularly crowded.
At night, after dinner from midnight or 2am till the morning there is not that much going on on the Ramblas (at least no parties). And it does not really get busy until 9.30 or 10am next morning.
It is a busy semi-pedestrian street (only the median is pedestrian), and the biggest evil on this street are probably the pickpockets.
And living in Europe, I would not say that the Ramblas were even especialy busy. Busy yes, but not that spectacularly crowded.
At night, after dinner from midnight or 2am till the morning there is not that much going on on the Ramblas (at least no parties). And it does not really get busy until 9.30 or 10am next morning.
Aug 8th, 2014, 04:19 AM
#14
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About the 22 "innovation" district, with an audioguide presentation. The city's most recent large-scale urban-planning project and allegedly a "hotbed of knowledge and innovation": http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/ECV2...zKWtv0hzZ9RgWY
But Le Méridien will be spot on in the heart of the city. Excellent base for all kinds of walks to all the great and very different parts of central Barcelona. As Cowboy1968 says, Las Ramblas is busy and touristy because of it's great fame, but it's no party-zone at all. The party goes on in areas well off Las Ramblas.
But Le Méridien will be spot on in the heart of the city. Excellent base for all kinds of walks to all the great and very different parts of central Barcelona. As Cowboy1968 says, Las Ramblas is busy and touristy because of it's great fame, but it's no party-zone at all. The party goes on in areas well off Las Ramblas.
Aug 10th, 2014, 02:53 AM
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In late April Barcelona celebrates its Feria de Abril, the second largest spring fair in Spain. Started by Andalusian immigrants in 1971. Food, wine, sevillanas, flamenco music, song, dance and party long into the night for some ten days.
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-e...l-de-catalunya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalonia_April_Fair
The action goes on in some 70 casetas/tents, all open to the general public, in the Parc del Fòrum fairgrounds at the Med a little more than a mile east of your hotel. These videos give you an idea of this very local fiesta for people of all ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTqHUqvu2qQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mon9rx0LEYA
Trailer to an excellent documentary about the flamenco culture in Barcelona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BibV3tYo0U
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-e...l-de-catalunya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalonia_April_Fair
The action goes on in some 70 casetas/tents, all open to the general public, in the Parc del Fòrum fairgrounds at the Med a little more than a mile east of your hotel. These videos give you an idea of this very local fiesta for people of all ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTqHUqvu2qQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mon9rx0LEYA
Trailer to an excellent documentary about the flamenco culture in Barcelona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BibV3tYo0U
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